Altered thyroid function and behavioural change in the domestic dog canis familiaris
Altered thyroid function and behavioural change in the domestic dog canis familiaris
The behavioural patterns of a clinical population of 82 dogs diagnosed with a behaviour disorder were measured in both familiar and unfamiliar environments in order to establish a representative record of their behavioural repertoire. The observed behaviour patterns and clinical diagnoses were then compared to the dogs' thyroid status. In a separate study, the behaviour, thyroid hormones and plasma cortisol titres of 11 dogs with problematic behaviour was monitored for a six-week period during the implementation of behaviour modification programmes. Lastly, the incidence of behaviour disorders in a population of 218 dogs with different profiles of thyroid function was also examined.
A relationship was found between thyroxine and the incidence of aggressive behaviour in dogs; however this relationship indicated that a low level of thyroxine was associated with low rather then high levels of aggression. Reduced levels of thyroid hormone were generally associated with reduced behavioural activity, both directly observed and as reported by owners. Reporting of separation related disorders was reduced in the antibody positive forms of hypothyroidism, probably due to a reduction in overall activity, whilst training disorders and coprophagia were associated with the sub clinical form of hypothyroidism, possibly mediated through stress hormones.
Reduced thyroid function appears to be associated with inactive behaviour patterns, which is consistent with the observation that the principle symptom of hypothyroidism is lethargy. The findings of this thesis do not support proposal that lowered thyroid function is related to aggressive behaviour in the dog. The link between behaviour, thyroid hormone titre and cortisol was explored, but insufficient physiological data was available and this connection warrants further investigation.
Comparisons of diagnoses by three clinicians of 15 cases from the clinical population indicated only 60% agreement, pointing to a need for a more transparent and consistent system for the classification of behavioural disorders in dogs.
University of Southampton
Barlow, Theresa Anne
44f1facf-d673-4586-9903-5730bdeb627f
2002
Barlow, Theresa Anne
44f1facf-d673-4586-9903-5730bdeb627f
Barlow, Theresa Anne
(2002)
Altered thyroid function and behavioural change in the domestic dog canis familiaris.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The behavioural patterns of a clinical population of 82 dogs diagnosed with a behaviour disorder were measured in both familiar and unfamiliar environments in order to establish a representative record of their behavioural repertoire. The observed behaviour patterns and clinical diagnoses were then compared to the dogs' thyroid status. In a separate study, the behaviour, thyroid hormones and plasma cortisol titres of 11 dogs with problematic behaviour was monitored for a six-week period during the implementation of behaviour modification programmes. Lastly, the incidence of behaviour disorders in a population of 218 dogs with different profiles of thyroid function was also examined.
A relationship was found between thyroxine and the incidence of aggressive behaviour in dogs; however this relationship indicated that a low level of thyroxine was associated with low rather then high levels of aggression. Reduced levels of thyroid hormone were generally associated with reduced behavioural activity, both directly observed and as reported by owners. Reporting of separation related disorders was reduced in the antibody positive forms of hypothyroidism, probably due to a reduction in overall activity, whilst training disorders and coprophagia were associated with the sub clinical form of hypothyroidism, possibly mediated through stress hormones.
Reduced thyroid function appears to be associated with inactive behaviour patterns, which is consistent with the observation that the principle symptom of hypothyroidism is lethargy. The findings of this thesis do not support proposal that lowered thyroid function is related to aggressive behaviour in the dog. The link between behaviour, thyroid hormone titre and cortisol was explored, but insufficient physiological data was available and this connection warrants further investigation.
Comparisons of diagnoses by three clinicians of 15 cases from the clinical population indicated only 60% agreement, pointing to a need for a more transparent and consistent system for the classification of behavioural disorders in dogs.
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Published date: 2002
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Local EPrints ID: 464908
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/464908
PURE UUID: 3fd7b576-e87e-46b1-af9f-f9197178d0ec
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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 00:09
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 19:49
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Author:
Theresa Anne Barlow
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